https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/1360 en-us A city in Belgium aspires to make it onto Europe's cultural map with an energetic building that ramps up the architectural volume. Once a medieval city on a hill in the French-speaking part of Belgium, Mons later became a center of heavy industry.

]]> 1503-mons-international-congress-xperience-studio-libeskind-h2a-architecte-and-associes.asp Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:30:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7437-mons-international-congress-xperience Mons International Congress Xperience The wood spiral tilts up at one corner to reveal the main entrance and plaza. Mons International Congress Xperience Image courtesy Studio Libeskind/H2a Architecte & Associés Mons International Congress Xperience Image courtesy Studio Libeskind/H2a Architecte & Associés Mons International Congress Xperience A pair of intersecting spirals form the body of the 135,000-square-foot building with one clad in wood slats, the other in metal. Mons International Congress Xperience The architects designed the main lobby as a large, flexible space that could be used in part for exhibitions and dining as well as congregating. Mons International Congress Xperience A large sculptural stair in the lobby has a landing where people can gather and take in the scene below. Mons International Congress Xperience The conference center includes three different auditoria, seating 100, 200, and 500 people. Libeskind sits in the front row (third from right) of the largest hall at the building’s opening. Mons International Congress Xperience Generous breakout spaces indoors and out create a better experience for people attending events in the complex. For example, a public terrace on the second floor lets people enjoy some fresh air and leads up to a viewing platform on the prow of the building. Mons International Congress Xperience Image courtesy Studio Libeskind/H2a Architecte & Associés Mons International Congress Xperience Image courtesy Studio Libeskind/H2a Architecte & Associés Mons International Congress Xperience Image courtesy Studio Libeskind/H2a Architecte & Associés